Renewal “When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the LORD. For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest.
(Leviticus 25:2-5) Saturday, Fourth Week of Easter O Lord Jesus Christ, who for the health and salvation of us all came into this world, and became human; who proclaimed the way of salvation, restored to health many people who came to you with all kinds of sickness, and who gave the same power and command to your chosen disciples, so that they went forth and proclaimed the kingdom of heaven, anointing the sick with oil and making them whole again; we pray restore to life those who are sick, and pour your Holy Spirit into their hearts that they may serve you with a living faith, with soundness of mind, body, and soul, until they take their places in the eternal kingdom with you who live and reign with God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen Dear friends, Everywhere we are seeing life spring up again after winter. Trees and flowers are blooming, grass is growing, the earth is alive with the glory of God. It truly is spectacular to witness. It is also amazing when you stop to think about it. Most everything goes through a season of life, then dormancy, then new life again. The same grass that looked dry and dead in the winter time is now lush and green. Trees that looked so barren and brittle a couple of months ago, are now in full bloom. Farmers know that letting the land go fallow for a year or two does much for the soil. It can replenish all the nutrients that are depleted during a growing season. After the ground lies fallow, it is renewed for another vigorous growing season. Without that time of lying fallow, the harvest is not nearly as plentiful. When the people of Israel entered the Promised Land, God told them to give the land a rest every 7th year. That year was a time of renewal for the land and its people. They weren’t always faithful in doing what he asked. What about us? Are there seasons of life, dormancy, and renewal that we go through? Have we been so busy that we forgot to give the land, and ourselves, time to rest and lie fallow? In this season of dormancy, let us turn to the Lord for our help. God alone is the one who sustains us and the land when it and we lie fallow. God not only renews life today, but offers to all life that never ends in the spectacular glory of heaven. Such new life with God causes the glory of springtime to pale in comparison. In the hands of Jesus,
Pastor Langdon Reinke P.S. Hope you and your family are healthy and safe. We are in this together. We have help available if there are needs. Please let us know. | 
